Starry Shines A Spotlight On Real Estate Power Women

In celebration of International Women's Day, Starry chatted with women in real estate to ignite a conversation about diversity, inclusion and empowerment. We are honored to work with such inspiring women who continue to make an immeasurable impact on the real estate community and on the progress of the industry. Thank you for all that you do!

Meet Noelle Sharbaugh

Managing Director of Real Estate, Greystar

Noelle is the managing director of real estate for Greystar in the Mid-Atlantic where she oversees regional operations for over 85 properties and more than 25,000 units. Her current role includes overseeing property operations, new business development, and leading a team of directors and regional property managers to support both Greystar owned and third-party managed assets. Noelle has a B.S. in Management Studies from University of Maryland as well as a certificate in Human Resources Management. She is a licensed property manager in DC, holds the CAM designation from NAA, as well as an ACoM® designation from IREM and is a current CPM® candidate. Additionally, Noelle was also awarded the 2017 Washington Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award.

Starry: If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself when just starting out your career?

Noelle: Raise your hand and don’t shy away from challenges. True growth and experience comes when you are outside of your comfort zone. Also, it's important to have mentors and sponsors as you navigate your career, and the right ones will ultimately help you move ahead and be successful within your role as well as to open up new doors and career opportunities.

Starry: What was the last show you binge watched?

Noelle: The Queen! It's amazing! I could not stop watching it!

Meet Rachel Teller

Chief Operating Officer, Winstar Properties

Rachel Teller is the Chief Operating Officer of Winstar Properties, and one of the founders of Winstar’s Management branch. Under Mrs. Tellers guidance, the portfolio has more than tripled in size and value. She has personally overseen over $350M in Value-add projects, all of which exceeded underwriting expectations. In that capacity, Mrs. Teller oversees the day-to-day operations of the Winstar Portfolio and its value-add operations, including but not limited to: asset renovation and project management, analyzing and forecasting portfolio budgets, internal and external financial reporting, investor relations, vendor relations, database and software maintenance, HR, banking and insurance matters, legal matters, and overseeing the Management Team. Mrs. Teller graduated Cum Laude from Yeshiva University Sy Syms School of Business, making Dean’s List every year. With a background in statistical analysis and a knack for organization, structure and follow through, she has been able to grow and run the portfolio, increasing property performance and value. In 2018, Rachel was recognized as one of IREM's (Institute for Real Estate Management) 30 under 30 exceptional young professionals in the Real Estate Management profession nationwide. In 2017, Mrs. Teller was selected to attend the highly coveted invite-only Forbes 30 under 30 International Summit held in Tel Aviv, Israel. Mrs. Teller was also nominated at the 2019 and 2016 LA Business Journal’s Women’s Summit in both the categories of, “Rising Star” and “Executive of the Year.”

Starry: What has been the proudest moment so far in your career?

Rachel: To empower and create an environment where employees can grow and thrive within my organization. To watch maintenance techs become managers and promote internally is a huge pride point for me. Our current Director of Property Management started with us managing one property as an on-site and now oversee over 3100 units and 100+ buildings!

Starry: If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself when just starting out your career?

Rachel: You can do good while doing well. Making a profit and investing in our communities are not mutually exclusive goals.

Meet Renée Nicolosi

Director of Resident & Community Services, Denver Housing Authority

As the Director of Resident & Community Services for the Denver Housing Authority (DHA), Renée Nicolosi has overseen programming for low- and moderate- income families in the areas of aging in place, economic self-sufficiency, resident leadership, and digital inclusion for twenty years. She has been integral in the design, implementation, and oversight of awarding winning programs. Many of these programs have been nationally recognized for innovative and effective services for the aging and disabled, at-risk youth, and families working toward economic self-sufficiency. Under her leadership, the Resident & Community Services Department has worked closely with the Housing Management Division to implement innovative programs such as the Resident Achievement Program (RAP), Welcome Neighbor, and the Criminal Activity Tracker (CAT) Hotline. These programs encourage and empower residents to take an active role in making their communities safe and vibrant.

Starry: Working In multifamily and condo buildings, we have the ability to impact the lives of residents. What are some of your favorite elements you are integrating into your buildings to push inclusivity and involvement?

Renée: For low-income seniors and people with disabilities, building design and supportive services are critical in predetermining physical and mental health outcomes and improving quality of life. Being low-income presents many challenges including difficulty accessing and acquiring medical services, food, and more. Designing buildings to offer limited supportive services, including on-site services and activities, fosters positive physical, emotional, and mental health. Providing gardens, for example, leads to many positive outcomes including reduced social isolation, increasing physical activity, getting fresh air and sunlight, and growing food. Providing limited supportive services through an on-site case manager is critical. These individuals take a leadership role to bring on-site services to their communities including health clinics, food services, social services, and they provide individualized resources to residents of their communities.

Starry: Google or Bing?

Renée: I'm all about Google!

Meet Robyn Nicholson

Area Manager, Echelon Property Group

Robyn Nicholson serves as an Area Manager for Echelon Property Group where she oversees the daily operations of a portfolio of communities in Boulder and the Denver Metro Area. Robyn has over 15 years of experience in Retail Management which helped build a strong foundation for a career in the Multi-Family Industry. Robyn has over 7 years experience in the Multi Family Industry and prior to joining Echelon, she was with Greystar and Cardinal Group. She is a strategic business partner with a true passion for developing talent. Her experience includes maximizing NOI, operational efficiency, renovation and capital projects, succession planning and the ability to lead others in high demand situations. Her innate leadership and unwavering positive attitude make her a valuable addition to the Echelon team. Robyn holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University and is an active member of the Apartment Association of Metro Denver. In her spare time, Robyn enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and designing jewelry.

Starry: What has been the proudest moment so far in your career?

Robyn: Seeing multiple people that have worked for me get promotions. I'm passionate about developing talent and have never been afraid to teach people everything I know so they are prepared when opportunities arise.

Starry: Which of these wifi networks would connect to? (Girls Gone Wireless, Drop It Like Its Hotspot, Nacho Wifi, FBI Surveillance Van or Vladimir Computin)

Robyn: Drop It Like Its Hotspot

Meet Jeanine Bisesti

General Manager, Related Companies

Jeanine Bisesti is currently a General Manager with Related Companies. Since joining Related over 10 years ago, Jeanine has worked on several assets in Boston from pre-opening through stabilization, overseeing building operations and managing various facets of physical, financial and customer service performance. With an emphasis on collaboration and inclusivity, she seeks ongoing operational improvements and building dynamic and productive teams. Prior to joining Related, Jeanine worked in the hospitality industry with various roles in luxury hotel operations. Jeanine is a Certified Property Manager (CPM) candidate with the Institute of Real Estate Management and hold certifications as a Tax Credit Specialist, Certified Occupancy and Blended Occupancy Specialist with the National Center for Housing Management.

Starry: What has been the proudest moment so far in your career?

Jeanine: I was fortunate to be part of the opening team for a particularly unique project, which was bringing 239 units of affordable housing to downtown Boston. As those in this industry know, so much hard work and anticipation goes into a project before opening. Once the building finally opens, there's a lot that happens all at once – sometimes, to the extent to which it is challenging to appreciate the bigger picture of what is happening. About a month after opening, as I was leaving one evening, I paused to look up at the building just as I had done countless times for many months before. One of the corner windows caught my eye; the lights were on in the apartment and holiday lights were strung up. It was striking to see what had been planned for and worked on for months and years, was now actually happening. Lights were on, people were making memories, and they were home. Many people worked on this project well before me but I was one of the fortunate ones there to see it come to life.

Starry: Which of these wifi networks would connect to? (Girls Gone Wireless, Drop It Like Its Hotspot, Nacho Wifi, FBI Surveillance Van or Vladimir Computin)

Jeanine: Nacho Wifi

Meet Virginia Lam Abrams

SVP Government Affairs & Strategic Advancement, Starry Internet

Virginia Lam Abrams is a seasoned communications and public affairs executive with two decades of experience working in technology, media and politics. As Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Strategic Advancement at Starry, Inc., a technology company reimagining and revolutionizing how consumers connect to the internet via Starry’s groundbreaking next generation, fixed wireless network. In this role, Virginia advocates for and represents Starry in front of governmental agencies at the local, state and federal level and engages with policymakers and the public interest community. She also leads media and analyst relations for the company as well as the company’s digital equity and inclusion initiative, Starry Connect.

Starry: If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself when just starting out your career?

Virginia: I would tell my young self, 'be more confident, less timid and embrace your success.' Women, more often than not, don't take the opportunity to crow about our achievements. We put our heads down, work hard and hope someone notices and that is a true disservice to advancing women in the workplace. It's important we recognize and celebrate our successes and not be shy about saying, 'hey, I worked hard, I killed it and that's pretty awesome. Good for me!'

Starry: What was the last show you binge watched?

Virginia: Fleabag

Meet Jessica Slemons

Operations Manager, Greystar

Jessica Slemons joined Greystar in 2014 and holds the position of Operations Manager for the New England portfolio. She holds a BA in Business Communication and an MBA in Organizational Leadership. Prior to her Greystar tenure, Jessica spent five years as an operations consultant in the recreational boating and superyacht industries. She helped facilitate global water policy initiatives for NOAA, The World Bank, The University of Rhode Island, and managed trade association clients including the International Superyacht Society, International Marina Association, American Boat Builders & Repairers Association and Sail America. In her current role, Jessica translated her operations and logistics expertise to focus on pre-development and lease up projects in the Massachusetts and Connecticut markets. Her acumen for current trends and operational awareness has helped dozens of clients develop assets that outperform their competitors when lease up begins.

Starry: Working in multifamily and condo buildings, we have the ability to impact the lives of residents. What are some of your favorite elements you are integrating into your buildings to push inclusivity and involvement?

Jessica: My goal when working on new assets, beyond making them beautiful and operationally successful, is to keep the greater neighborhood at the forefront of our minds as we develop. I want the residents surrounding the asset as well as those living within it to feel like they are a part of the larger community. Doing that authentically can be a challenge, but when it’s successful the resulting connectivity and sense of place are incredible.

Starry: Would you rather live without wifi or toothpaste for the rest of your life?

Jessica: Wifi

Meet Catherine Siegel

Client Services Senior Manager, Bozzuto

Catherine Siegel has been with Bozzuto Management Company since 2014. She currently serves as a Senior Manager on Bozzuto's Client Services team, where she focuses on business development and corporate growth and geographic expansion initiatives. During her time on the team, Bozzuto's management portfolio has grown from 51,000 to 76,000 units. Previously, Catherine served as a Project Manager on Bozzuto's Advisory Services team, where she advised on nearly 20 mixed-use and multi-family new developments in the Washington, D.C. metro. In this role she was responsible for identifying value opportunities for her clients through underwriting analysis, coordination of interior design and marketing processes, continued market landscape updates, and consulting support as it relates to the multi-family aspects of the development. Today, Catherine continues to use these skills to collaborate with owners and various stakeholders during all stages of their developments to provide property unit mix analyses, amenity and leasing space programming recommendations, rental rates and operating financials, and guidance on overall property positioning. Before joining Bozzuto, Catherine led the branding and marketing initiatives for Washington REIT’s residential portfolio, including 12 assets in the D.C. Metro area. Catherine holds a Bachelor's Degree from Virginia Tech.

Starry: A core part of doing business in the real estate industry is establishing credible relationships. What is the one thing you look for in a partnership with people or with companies?

Catherine: Relationships are everything in our industry and it takes a huge team of extremely talented people (owners, consultants, vendors, etc.) to make a development come to life. At Bozzuto, our goal is to create sanctuary for our residents. With that goal in mind, we are constantly looking for partners who think outside the box and challenge the status quo. From a developer or architect who is open to re-imagining how people live, to a company like Starry who is changing the game by offering a widely desirable solution for better internet – we look to align ourselves with creative thinkers who can help us realize our vision of sanctuary.

Starry: Which of these wifi networks would connect to? (Girls Gone Wireless, Drop It Like Its Hotspot, Nacho Wifi, FBI Surveillance Van or Vladimir Computin)

Catherine: Nacho Wifi

Meet Kelly Myers

Manager of Ancillary Services, Alliance Residential

Kelly Myers started in the multifamily industry over 6 years ago and currently serves as Manager of Ancillary services for Alliance Residential. She plays an integral role in cultivating positive vendor relations on behalf of Alliance's Ancillary Services team and oversee the entire group - using her Bachelor's of Computer Science degree to help focus on innovation, increasing efficiencies and building community revenues. Kelly leads the Innovation Committee for Alliance and is a member of the NMHC RETA committee as well; helping procure new innovations for the industry. Kelly is also a part of Alliance's Emerging Leaders committee, which helps break down silos and bridge gaps for better communication. Kelly received an award for Corporate Associate of the Year and Top Performer of the Year from Alliance Residential with her team being nominated for multiple other awards and has spoken on panels such as NMHC's OPTECH. Prior to joining Alliance, Kelly started out her career as a leasing and marketing manager for Lincoln Property Company specializing in lease-ups, due diligence, acquisitions and community audits.

Starry: A core part of doing business in the real estate industry is establishing credible relationships. What is the one thing you look for in a partnership with people or with companies?

Kelly: Genuineness! In my position, I speak to many different vendors a week about possible partnerships and one thing I always feel out is how genuine they are. I fully understand that selling the product is part of the deal, however, when I can tell that I am just being sold a product and the person behind it either does not believe in it or is just telling me what they think I want to hear, it's hard to move forward. When someone truly believes in their product, gets excited to discuss it and will tell me honestly if they can't do something that I request and why, that will always procure a positive relationship with me. Though it may not lead to a partnership, I am always open to help that person with other aspects of their product if I can because I know they stand behind it. One of the best parts of my job are the relationships I have with people, so when I get to add someone to that list that I can really connect with and be genuine with, it's always a good time!

Starry: Which of these wifi networks would connect to? (Girls Gone Wireless, Drop It Like Its Hotspot, Nacho Wifi, FBI Surveillance Van or Vladimir Computin)

Kelly: Drop It Like Its Hotspot